Radio assembly



g-5. s. H. M. DODINGTON Nom RADIO AS SEMBLY Filed Dec. ll, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATToRNEy Nov. 26, 1946. s. H. MDODINGTON RADIO ASSEMBLY v Filed Deo. lll, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 llllllll.

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Patented Nov. 26, 1946 RADIO ASSEMBLY Sven H. M. Dodington, Forest Hills, N. Y., assigner to Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 11, 1943, Serial No. 513,965

(Cl. Z50-16) 3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to radio assemblies anel more particularly to an assembly of parts forming a radio transmitter, receiver or other similar apparatus.

It is highly desirable in manufacturing radio equipment to make the assembly as compact as possible. In fact there are numerous occasions upon which the overall dimensions of the equipment are strictly limited, as for example, on board airplanes or other Vehicles in which space is usually at a premium. However, these space limitations, in making compactness a requisite, raise a number of problems that require solution. These include (1) the design oi the assembly so that the various units are physically segregated in accordance with functional characteristics, for example, respective parts of the detector, ampliiier, power unit, etc. being grouped together; (2) overcoming the undesirable crowding of parts and wiring resulting from the desire for compactness; (3) ease and speed of assembly; (4) accessibility for prompt inspection and repair. Other problems may be raised in specific instances but the ones mentioned will serve as a broad illustration of the factors involved.

in conventional practice, a single chassis is usually employed for large assembly jobs such as a transmitter or receiver. rIhis procedure is cumbersome and time consuming to the factory workers because of the diiculty involved in assembling and wiring thereon numerous parts in compact arrangement. In addition to the difficulty of assembling the parts, the compaotness o-f the assembly permits but one or possibly two persons to work on it at a time. Furthermore, such compact assembly jobs render it exceedingly difncult to repair and/or replace parts, since to remove a particular member for repair or replacement, other parts and wiring must usually be disturbed.

Accordingly the present invention has as one of its principal objects the provision of a radio assembly in which each of the above-mentioned problems has been solved.

Another object of the invention is substantially to increase the amount of space available for mounting the parts and equipment on a radio chassis the overall dimensions of which fall within predetermined limits.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chassis construction by which radio equipment may be conveniently assembled in sub-assemblies according to function, and the sub-assemblies then mounted together.

y A still further object of the invention is to provide means whereby any portion of a radio assembly may be quickly and easily reached for inspection or repair.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a radio assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 1A is a sectional View of a portion of Fig. 1 along the line indicated;

Fig. 2 is a View of Fig. l showing several of the sub-chassis members separated from the assembly;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a plug and socket assembly designed for use with the structure of Fig. 1;

Fig 4 is a perspective view of a modification of Fig. 1 with the radio parts arranged to provide for greater compactness; and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of a modification of the structure of Fig. 4 showing hinged sub-chassis members.

In Figs. l and 2 are shown a plurality of subchassis members 8, iii, l2, I4 and I6. These subchassis members are preferably made of sheet metal by known cutting and stamping operations. Each member comprises a rectangular panel having its edges flanged, as generally shown at 8A, HBA, iA, iiA and lEA, these side iianges acting to stiffer. the panels and also to provide a space in which small parts and wiring may be disposed and shielded, as will be hereinafter brought out. The side flanges of several of the panels are secured together at the corners of the panel by some preferred means such as welding, this construction acting to add rigidity to the structure.

On both the top and bottom surfaces of several of the panels il, il), l2, I4 and IS are mounted radio parts and wiring, generally indicated as I8 in the drawings, to form a number of subassemblies. The sub-assembly on sub-chassis 8 may comprise, for example, a pulse amplifier, while the sub-assembly on sub-chassis IEI may similarly comprise an intermediate frequency amplifier'. The functional radio parts shown, as well as their number and grouping, is merely given by way of illustration, as obviously other circuit units would necessitate other equipment. ln general, however, it may be said that the tubes, coils, transformers and other large radio parts are preferably mounted on the top surface of the sub-chassis members, while the smaller parts such as resistors, condensers and wiring are disposed on the bottom surface. The bottom surface oi the sub-chassis members may be either side'of these members, but, as illustrated in the drawings, I refer to the portion of the member lying bet Jeen the side iianges as the bottom surface.

The above arrangement of parts is particularly true oi the side sub-chassis members 8 and lil. On the other hand, member Hi has been illustrated as comprising a power unit, the particular requirements of which necessitate placing certain oi the parts outside the enclosure formed by the members. However, this condition existsl only for this type of unit, and for other circuit portions the larger apparatus included therein could be grouped on the inner surface of the sub-chassis ll in a manner similar to that of the members S lo. The sub-assembly on subchassis i5 comprises the control means for the assembly, these control means being generally indicated at Eil in the drawings.

As above stated, the sub-assemblies may comprise certain deinite stages of the radio apparatus, such as a detector stage, ampliiier, etc., or may comprise any radio parts that may be most readily and conveniently associated together as a unit. Each of these units or sub-assemblies may be assembled as hereinbefore stated by a different workman.

.A description will now be given. of the principle of assembling the sub-chassis members, each of which has been provided, as above mentioned, with radio parts and wiring as a sub-assembly. The required sub-assemblies which, in the present instance, are five in number, are positioned in spaced-apart angular relationship as best shown for several of the members in Fig, 2. Sub-chassis member l2 is preferably disposed to lie in a substantially horizontal plane. Subohassis members S, lll, i4'. and IS are disposed in substantially vertical position adjacent the respective flanged edges IEA of the member l2. Although five sub-chassis -members have been illustrated, it will be clear that either or both members i2 and la may be dispensed with, and also that another sub-chassis member, parallel to member l2, may be provided to form a completely enclosed boX-like structure.

Each sub-chassis member is provided with means for securing it in rigid relationship to its adjoining sub-chassis members. This is accomplished in the embodiment shown by a plurality of screws and bolts respectively receivable in a plurality of openings formed in adjoining members. For instance in Fig. 2 the sub-chassis member lli is provided with a plurality ofvopenings in the flanges thereoi designated as lilB and llC. In the panel portion of the member a series or" openings lill) are formed.

`Still referring to this sub-chassis member lll, it will be seen that when this member is brought into close relationship with the sub-chassis member l2, the openings lllD in member lil will line up with the openings l2D in the flanged portion l2A. It will also be seen that openings ESB in the flanged portion H3A will line up with a series of openings ESB which are provided in the panel portion of sub-chassis member Iii. A plurality of bolts 2li (Fig. l) are passed through openings lllD and i213 to secure the panel portion of member lil to the flanged portion IZA of member I 2. A bolt 2l similarly passes through the center opening lilB into the center opening 15B of member it to secure the iiange H3A to the panel I6. Sub-chassis member 8 is secured in a manner similar to that described to both members I2 and I 6.

In order to provide means for grasping the assembly or carrying it from place to place, a pair of handles 22 are provided. These handles 22 each have a pair of threaded openings 42 in the portions thereof adjacent the panel l 5. This can best be seen by reference to Fig. 1A. A pair of screws dii are respectively receivable in the two side openings IDB, and these screws project through side openings 16B and into the threaded openings 132 in handle 22. By means of this construction it will be seen that the handles 22 serve a double purpose, that is, they provide means for conveniently grasping the assembly and in addition they provide means for additionally securing together the sub-chassis members 8, lli and i6.

Sub-chassis member lll is provided with two series or bolts 223, as best shown in Fig. 2. One series of bolts 2d is aligned with openings EEC in flange lA of member l, and the other series of bolts 2d is associated with three openings (not shown) in ange 8A. Thus sub-chassis lll can be brought up to the other members so that bolts 2li project through openings I @C and the corresponding openings in flange 8A. Nuts 29 (Fig. l) threadably engaging these bolts tend to secure rigidly together members 8, Ill and lli.

It will thus be seen that the whole assembly is now rigidly joined together as a unit. However, it will be clear that by removing the necessary bolts or screws, any one of the sub-assemblies can be separated from the remaining units for inspection or repair. In the embodiment of the invention shown, a pair of cross braces 6o are employed to strengthen the assembly against twisting or distortion.

As hereinbefore stated, the larger parts and circuit elements are positioned on the top surface of the sub-chassis members. Thus, as shown in Figs. l and 2, these elements such as tubes I8' project inwardly toward the center of the box-like structure constituting the assembly so as to substantially ll the enclosure. However, it is intended that the sub-chassis members M and IS be of suiiicient width so that a space will exist between the inwardly-projecting radio parts of the sub-assemblies mounted on subchassis members 8 and le. This is brought out in Fig. 1, in which a space exists between the two rows of tubes, thus permitting access to the lower part of the interior of the structure. No radio parts have been illustrated as being mounted on sub-chassis member l2 in Figs. 1 and 2, but this is solely because the particularcircuit illustrated in these figures does not require further parts in addition to those mounted on the remaining members. However, it will be clearly understood that if additional circuit portions are necessary, the sub-chassis member l2 may be equipped with such parts in a manner similar to that described for sub-chassis members 8 and l0.

The spaces formed by the flanged portions 3A and ISA respectively of sub-chassis members il and lll, including the lower surface of the panel portions of such members are designed to enclose the smaller radio parts and wiring, including those elements which in radio constructions are normally electrically connected or joined together by soldering or other similar means. Thus a majority or" such connections in the subassemblies S, lli l2 accessible from the exterior of the assembly, can readily be inspected repaired without the necessity of removing any of the screws or in any other way separating the various sub-chassis members themselves. As hereinbefore stated, due to the nature of the power unit illustrated as constituting sub-chassis member l many of the larger parts of this sub assembly have been illustrated as extending outwardly from the panel itself instead of inwardly as is the case with the other chassis members just described. However, as before stated, this is entirely due to the nature oi this particular circuit portion, and other circumstances the structure shown in l and 2 readily be changed to have these elements extend toward the interior of the assembly.

Sub-chassis member i3 comprises the control portion of the assembly. The various dials and other control elements, generally indicated at 2d. must, of necessiti be mounted so as to be capable of actuation from the exterior of the unit, For this reason any circuit connections between the controls will be on the interior surface of member l5. However, such circuit connections are readily accessible through. the opening formed by the various vertical sub-assemblies.

t has been stated that each of the sub-assemblies is wired as a unit. Therefore, only one cable or other connection is necessary between the various submassemblies when the complete unit is assembled. One example of such a connection between the sub-assemblies is shown in Fig. ll in which a cable 5S is shown extending from an opening in subchassis I/i to each of the sub-chassis members 8 and lll through an opening in the panel portion of the latter below the line to which the flanged portion lZA is attached. In Fig. 2 an opening lilE in member lil is shown to receive this cable. le. similar opening exists in panel S1. Further circuit connections may be made be tween the sub-chassis member l5 and one or more of the other sub-assemblies depending on the type of circuit employed.

Due to the fact that considerable heat is generated as the result of tube operation and from other circuit elements in most radio apparatus, a plurality of openings 62 are provided in members S and lll so as to provide adequate ventilation for the interior of the assembly.

It is apparent that a structure such as has been described is usually well suited for use for circuits which ray tube is utilized. It will be clear that such a cathode ray tube (not shovm) can be within assembly so that the screen the tube will be positioned approxi.- rnately at the point new occupied by dial is of member conical body of the tube will then extend centrally toward the rear of the sembly. or in other words toward member The radio apparatus now mounted on sub-chassis members and would surround this cathode ray tube, so that practically all the space within the interior of the assembly would be utilized.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification of the structure of Figs. 1 2 in which any necessary connections between the sub-chassis members are automatically made when such units are joined together. This is accomplished by means of a number of plug and socket elements. On subchassis member l2 is secured. .a support 25, this support being rigidly held against the under surface o1" the member by means of a plurality of screws 3S. Within and positioned by support 2E are a plurality of sockets 23. Support is recessed as shown from the flanged portion l 2A.

On the surface of sub-chassis member lli is positioned another support 32 secured to the member by means or a plurality of screws 38. Within and supported by member 32 are a plurality of plugs E@ designed for respective engagement with the sockets 28 of support 2t. When the sub-chassis member ill is brought against sub-chassis member l2, as hereinbefore described, the plugs and sockets will become respectively associated so as to establish any desired connections between these two sub-chassis members. Of course, similar plug socket connections can be provided between sub-chassis members 3 and l2, le. and l2 and lil and i2. Thus no wiring oi any sort will be necessary when the various sub-chassis members are assembled to form the complete structure.

In Fig. 4 is shown alternative construction by which the width of the total assembly can be considerably diminished. This is accomplished by vertically osetting the larger radio parts, such tubes l-AEA and ltlB, so that they lie in planes one above the other. Oppositely disposed to each such plane of tubes or other apparatus are two series or openings M- and l respectively cut out of members 3 and le. Thus when the sub-chassis members S and l5 are brought together, these openings all and permit access to be had to the radio parts lh and E3B so that replacement or repair thereof can be made through these side openings in the assembly rather than through the top as was the case in the structure of Figs. l and 2 and at the same time permit proper ventilation. Due to the oiset position or" the parts IBA and lSB the two members 8 and l0 can be placed much closer together than would otherwise be the case. Ir desired, the openings 44 and/or l'e can be formed as one large opening rather than several small ones.

In Fig. 5 is shown an alternative form of construction in which the sub-chassis members 8 and lll are hinged on the sub-chassis member l2 so that such members il and it can be lowered into parallel relationship with member I2 by rotation about the hinges Eil. In this construction a U- shaped opening 52 is provided in flanged portion to replace the upper opening H2B, and also a small portion is cut out of the surface of member lil adjacent thereto. Similar changes are made in member Thus by merely loosening one of the screws lili, and without completely withdrawing such screw from the opening 42 of handle 22, the sub-chassis members 3 and Hl can be selectively lowered to any angular position relative to sub-chassis member l2, thereby permitting ready access to the interior of the assembly. If desired, the screws le of Fig. 1A can be replaced by a pair of wing nuts 5s as shown in Fig. 5 to permit easier operation or the securing means.

t will be readily apparent from the foregoing description that my invention makes it possible to ass noble and wire the numerous parts of a radio transmitter, receiver, or other radio apparatus, in sub-assemblies and to combine these sub-assemblies into a single unit. By this method of assembling radio parts a large number of opera-tors may work on a single apparatus, one or more workers assembling the parts of each -subassembly. rlhis method also facilitates mass production of radio apparatus and insures better workmanship for compact devices, since the cumbersorneness of numerous parts closely associated is largely avoided. Besides facilitating the manuiacture oi this type of compact apparatus, my invention enables the removal of sections of the apparatus for repair and replacement purposes without disturbing adjacent parts other than disconnecting the single cable or other connection to the section the removal of which is desired. In

the plug and socket modication shown even this latter step isl unnecessary.

It is apparent that the increase in surface availabie for mounting the parts varies with the number of sub-chassis members utilized, this number being normally between three and six. if the members are of the same dimensions, three sub-chassis members together will provide about 150%v more available space than a conventional having an area equal to one of the members. additional sub-chassis member employed, of course, adds to this total.

It will also be seen that due to the upright nature of a majority of the sub-chassis members, it is possible to change the Wiring connections or remove any of the parts mounted on such members Without turning the assembly on its side as would be the case with conventional units that are mounted on a horizontal base. This eliminates any possibility of breakage or other damage to the apparatus that might occur when the assembly is turned from its normal position.

While I have described above the principles of my invention in connection with speciiic apparatus, and particular modications thereof, it is to be clearly understood that this description made oniy by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of my invention as set forth in the objects of my invention, and. the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. A radio assembly chassis in the form of a box like structure, having side and other` Walls including a bottom wall, said bottom Wall and a plurality of said side Walls each comprising a flat, anged, rectangular sub-chassis member, means including the flanges for securing said members together with the spaces included by the iianges facing outward, radio parts mounted on the inside face of said members and radio parts and wiring mounted on the outside thereof Within said iiange spaces, all said radio parts and wiring mounted on each said sub-chassis members constituting a substantially complete circuit unit.

2. An assembly chassis according to claim 1 in which ons wall of the box is constituted by a control panel and there is means for securing anged portions or adjacent sub-channel members to said panel.

3. An assembly chassis according to claim 1 wherein one wall of the box is constituted by a control panel and the side sub-chassis members adjacent to said panel are pivotally mounted to the bottom wall member and means is provided for locking them in ciosed position.

SVEN H. M. DODINGTON. 

